Re: driveshaft bearing bad?

["Doyt W. Echelberger" <Doyt@poboxes.com>]

>Date: Fri, 05 Apr 1996 16:56:56 -0500
>To: steved@panix.com
>From: "Doyt W. Echelberger" <Doyt@poboxes.com>
>Subject: Re: driveshaft bearing bad?
>
>At 02:45 PM 4/5/97 EDT, you wrote:
>>Car: 1986 4000 CS Quattro
>>        130,000 miles   5 spd manual
>>
>>
>>My car is making a noise which sounds like it
>>is coming from the driveshaft bearing that is in the center.
>>(Right now, this is only a guess)
>>
>>The noise starts off as a 'shhh' sound, and as the speed increases, 
>>it will at times turn into (or in addition to first sound) a whining 
>>sound. I know it has nothing to do with the engine because the sound 
>>is there even if the car is off. When I'm just sitting, no noise. 
>>When I move, the noise is there. It seems that after I get moving at 
>>a good clip, the whining sound goes, but I can still kindof  hear the 
>>'shhh' sound. Of course with the other sounds from the car I just 
>>might not be hearing them.
>>
>>
>>My questions are:
>>
>>1. From the limited info above, could it be that bearing?
>>
>>2. If it is, can it be pressed out, or do I need a new driveshaft?
>>
>>3. What are some figures on getting this fixed? (back to question#2)
>>
>>
>>           Thanks....
>>
>>                   STEve
>>(steved@panix.com)
>>
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>Steve.......there is a deflector plate part way around the rt front inner
cv joint rubber boot, partitioning it from the exhaust pipe.It is near the
cross point of the exhaust pipe and the passenger-side front drive axle.
>
>When this plate gets corroded, the rust itself makes the shield 3-4 times
as thick, and then you hit some snow or ice, or you have some exhaust work
done, and the weakened, crumbly shield gets displaced just enough to touch
the drive axle and rub on it.  Makes a sound much like what you describe.
>
>I found mine by standing under the car while it was on a lift. I used a
long flatblade screwdriver to poke around the cross point, and if I tilted
my head just right, and used a strong drop light, I could see the plate and
could push it around with the screwdriver.....to a position where it no
longer rubbed the drive axle.
>
>This plate is about the size of a  quart can, sliced lengthwise....and you
can see it on page 40.7b of your Bentley, should you be so blessed.
>
>It is a lot less expensive (like free) to cross it off as a cause of your
noise, compared to a replacing a drive shaft that is probably O.K. anyhow.  
>
>So, check that out, and tell us if it works for you.
>
>Doyt
>
>86 4kcsq 
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